Sponge with an Inner Soap Capsule

ABSTRACT

A wash sponge with a pliable, inner capsule that contains soap and has several holes. When the capsule is squeezed it discharges soap into the sponge. The holes, which are in fact cuts made in the sides of the capsule, serve as a kind of valve system that controls the flow of soap from the capsule into the sponge. The cuts are made in such a way that the entire circumference of the hole is not cut, and a flap if formed that remains attached to the capsule. When horizontal pressure is applied to the sponge (and the capsule), the holes open and the soap can flow out into the sponge; however, when incidental, vertical pressure is applied to the sponge (and capsule), the holes do not open significantly and soap does not flow out through the holes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention refers to a wash sponge with an inner capsule thatcontains soap.

BACKGROUND ART

Many people use wash sponges (for instance to wash dishes, as a bathsponge, and for cleaning and washing various accessories). It is knownthat the inventor has prior art that refers to wash sponges that containsoap that are based on two methods.

First method: Sponges that contain a piece of solid soap such that thesoap is dissolved upon contact with the water and soap suds are formedon the sponge. This method is problematic since it is inefficient andsince the solid soap does not actually dissolve upon contact with thewater, but rather requires the solid soap to be rubbed, which is notpossible since it is concealed within the sponge.

Second method: Sponges that contain a relatively pliable capsule thatcontains liquid soap that flows out of the capsule into the spongethrough small holes in the capsule. In this case, squeezing the spongeactually squeezes the capsule, causing liquid soap to flow from theinner capsule out into the sponge. This method is not perfect since theflow of liquid soap from the capsule into the sponge is uncontrolled andeven when the sponge is already sudsy and saturated with soap, soapcontinues to flow from the capsule into the sponge due to the pressurethe user's hand applies to the sponge when in use.

The present invention offers an improved sponge with a capsule thatoperates according to the principles of the second aforementionedmethod, but which introduces an innovation that solves the probleminherent in such sponges.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Drawing No. 1 depicts the sponge (2) with the inner capsule (2) thatcontains soap (3).

Drawing No. 2 depicts the capsule (2) with holes (4) in closed position.

Drawing No. 3 depicts the capsule (2) with holes (4) in open position.

Drawing No. 4 depicts the sponge (2) with the inner capsule (2) thatcontains soap (3) being squeezed.

THE INVENTION

The main and primary objectives of the present invention are: (a) Toprovide the user with a wash sponge with an inner capsule that containssoap; (b) to provide a sponge as mentioned, such that there is no(significant) flow of liquid soap into the sponge when the user's handapplies pressure to the sponge during its use; (c) to provide a spongeas mentioned, such that only intentional squeezing of the sponge leadsto the flow of liquid soap into the sponge.

The present invention refers to a sponge (1) with an inner capsule (2)that contains soap (3). Drawing No. 1 depicts a cross-section of thesponge (1) that contains an inner capsule (2) with soap (3).

The sponge (1) can be one of a wide variety of existing sponges (such assponges designed for washing dishes, bath sponges, and a wide variety ofsponges for various uses). For the sake of fluency, the term “washsponge” will hereinafter refer to the entire variety of said spongesintended for the variety of aforementioned uses. The sponge (1) has thegeneral shape of a flattened rectangular cube.

The capsule (2) is in fact a sealed packet with one or more holes (4)through which the soap (3) flows from the capsule (2) into the sponge(1). The capsule (2) is naturally smaller than the sponge (1). Thecapsule (2) is made from a pliable material so that squeezing thecapsule causes the soap to flow out through the holes in the capsule.The capsule can and should be made of rubber or silicone, although anymaterial that can be squeezed by an external force can be used tomanufacture the capsule (2). Thus, for instance, materials such as thoseused to manufacture inner tubes of bicycle tires can be used tomanufacture the capsule.

The capsule (2) has the general shape of a flattened rectangular cube(possibly corresponding with the external shape of the sponge), asdepicted for instance in Drawing No. 2. The capsule (2) has relativelywide top (21) and bottom (22) sides [Note: the terms top side and bottomside refer only to the larger and wider sides of the capsule (2) asdepicted in the drawings, whereas in reality, none of the sides of thesponge (1) and the capsule (2) are designated as being the top side].Naturally, it is recommended that the capsule be made of a singleintegral piece.

The holes (4) in the capsule (2): The capsule (2) has one or more holes(4), although it is recommended that the capsule (2) have several holes,on the wide top and bottom sides (21) (22) of the capsule, as depictedfor instance in Drawing No. 2. The main innovation of the presentinvention is that the hole (4) is structured such that when pressure isapplied (mainly vertical pressure) on the wide, top and bottom sides(21) (22) of the capsule (2), there is no (significant) flow of soapthrough the holes (4) from the capsule into the sponge. On the otherhand, when horizontal pressure is applied to the narrow sides (23) (24)of the capsule, soap flows from the capsule through the holes into thesponge. The innovative structure of the holes (4) enables the user tocontrol the flow of soap (3) from the capsule into the sponge. In otherwords, the holes (4) serve as a kind of valve.

Design and structure of the hole (4): The hole (4) is made by making asmall circumferential cut in the wide side of the capsule. The cut ismade in an incomplete manner such that the cut flap (41) remainsattached to the capsule, as depicted for instance in Drawings Nos. 2 and3. The cut part (41) [hereinafter referred to as “the flap”] remainsattached to the capsule along one section.

When no pressure is applied on the capsule, the flap (41) is in itsoriginal and normal position just as before the cut, so that in fact thehole is not visible and is closed, thus preventing the soap from flowingout through it. Drawing No. 2 depicts the holes (4) with closed flaps(41) whereas Drawing No. 3 depicts the holes (4) with open flaps (41).

Incidental pressure on the sponge: When the user squeezes the sponge,applying vertical pressure on the wide sides of the sponge (andcapsule)—pressure that is applied naturally while using the sponge, thenthe sponge (1) itself compresses onto the wide side (21) (22) of thecapsule (2) and the sponge actually presses downward on the flaps (41)causing them to close the holes (41) and preventing any (significant)flow of soap out of the capsule. Intentional pressure on the sponge:When the user squeezes the sponge, exerting horizontal pressure on thenarrow sides of the capsule, pressure that is not exerted naturallyduring the use of the sponge, then the flaps (41) are pushed upward andthe holes (4) open, enabling the soap to flow out of the capsule. Thus,the user can control the flow of soap out of the capsule into the spongein a good and effective manner.

The holes (4) can have a variety of shapes with the common property thatsqueezing the narrow sides (23) (24) of the capsule (2) causes the holes(4) to open and the soap to flow out. The hole (4) can also be a simplecut that, due to the thickness of the capsule's side, opens whenpressure is applied to the s narrow sides of the capsule, as depictedfor instance in Drawing No. 4. The soap (3) within the capsule (2) canbe in a variety of states of matter, although it is preferable that itbe a gel or even a (relatively viscous) liquid, and the size of theholes must correspond to the viscosity of the soap (3).

The capsule (2) can be made of a variety of pliable materials. One suchmaterial is a nylon bag, which can function as a capsule (2) as requiredfor the product, subject of the invention. Nylon bags (2) of variousthicknesses can be used, although the inventor recommends that they be0.25 mm. thick. The nylon bag (2) used should be perforated as describedin the application and should have between six and ten holes (4) on eachside. The diameter of such holes (4) should be approximately 0.01 mm.When the sponge (1) contains a capsule (2) made of a nylon bag asdescribed above, with the aforementioned thickness and with holes (4)with the aforementioned diameter, then the application of normalpressure [i.e. the pressure applied by an average use on the sponge (1)when using it to wash dishes, for instance] will not cause (significant)flow of soap from the capsule (2). When, however, stronger andintentional pressure is applied to the said sponge (1) containing thesaid nylon bag capsule (2), soap will flow from the capsule (2),enabling effective and good use of the sponge (1).

While the present invention has been described in connection with whatis considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isunderstood that this invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements includedwithin the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

1. A wash sponge with an inner capsule that contains soap, that has oneor more holes; the said capsule is made of a pliable material that canbe squeezed and is designed as a sealed packet with holes; the holes aremade by cutting the side of the capsule such that the holes open whenhorizontal pressure is applied to the sponge and remain sufficientlyclosed when incidental, vertical pressure is applied to the said sponge.2. The sponge mentioned in claim No. 1 whereby the holes are made bycutting the side of the capsule, but the cutting is only partial and ahole is created such that the cut part (a flap) remains attached to thecapsule and serves as a kind of valve.
 3. The sponge mentioned in claim1, whereby the said capsule is made of a nylon bag that has severalholes.